Panama City Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Panama City
Panama City showing a beach
Panama City
Panama City
Panama City

Visit a popular northwest Florida coastal city, known for its pretty marinas, striking beaches, historic neighbourhoods and downtown attractions.

Panama City offers sunshine, sea and surf with many activities occurring on, near or under the water. Here you can swim, dive, look for dolphins and tour a historic waterfront district.

Go to Capt. Anderson’s Marina to book a deep sea fishing charter or a dolphin sightseeing tour. Take a boat trip to nearby Shell Island. Surf, snorkel and dive off the coast or sunbathe on the beaches.

In Panama City, visit St. Andrew’s Bay to stroll around the marina and browse small boutiques. Sample some of the fresh fish at a waterfront restaurant. Alternatively, try the “Hook and Cook” experience go out on a fishing boat and one of the restaurants will cook your catch.

Explore the historic downtown area, an interesting collection of antique stores, art galleries, coffeehouses and bookstores. View the work of local, national and international artists at the Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida.

Take a self-guided history tour of the area. See the Gideon marker commemorating a landmark court judgment that established the public defender system in the United States. Stroll past late 19th-century historic homes. Note the mixture of architectural styles at the John Christo (Senior) Home. Stop by the Saltworks marker noting Panama City’s vital salt production during the Civil War. Round off your visit by sitting in the shade of a tree in McKenzie Park.

From February through October, enjoy food, fun and entertainment at Friday Fest, a large street festival on the first Friday of each month. Restaurants and shops stay open until late, market stalls line the streets and free live music fills the air.

Reach the area by flying into Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Get around by rental car, taxi or public transportation. The Bay Town Trolley Bus System operates several routes, but has no service on Sundays.

Panama City’s pleasant subtropical climate makes it a year-round vacation destination. Visitors often explore neighboring Panama City Beach to enjoy its many family attractions.

Where to stay in Panama City

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Bunkers Cove

Though Bunkers Cove may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Panama City Marina and Panama City Mall.

Bunkers Cove
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Bay VIew Addition

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Bay VIew Addition and surrounding area, you can visit Port Panama City and Naval Support Activity Panama City.

Bay VIew Addition
Panama City showing a beach

Downtown Panama City

If you're spending some time in Downtown Panama City, Panama City Marina and St. Andrews Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Panama City
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St Andrews

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in St Andrews and surrounding area, you can visit Port Panama City and Nicklaus Course at Bay Point Resort.

St Andrews
Panama City showing a beach

Gulf Coast Development

When in Gulf Coast Development, you can plan a visit to Panama City Marina and Junior Museum of Bay County, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Gulf Coast Development
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Highland City

While Highland City isn't home to many top sights, Panama City Mall and Panama City Marina are some notable places to visit nearby.

Highland City
Hathaway Inn

Hathaway Inn

2 out of 5
5126 W US 98, Panama City, FL
Stay at this hotel in Panama City. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Thomas Drive and St. Andrews State Park are located ...
6.6/10 (1,002 reviews)
"They missed garbage pickup one day. 3am there was banging, I thought might have been gun fare at first but then there was more. first"

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Hathaway Inn
Red Roof Inn Panama City

Red Roof Inn Panama City

2 out of 5
217 North US Hwy 231, Panama City, FL
The price is Rp1.392.986 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
Rp1.392.986
Rp1.575.747 total
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Panama City. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"The sheets and pillow cases did not seem clean because I found two long strands of hair that were not mine under the pillows. I also felt extremely itchy all night perhaps due to whatever detergent is used to clean the linens or they may not have actually been layered after the previous guests. There ..."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Red Roof Inn Panama City
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Panama City

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Panama City

3 out of 5
1030 E 23rd St, Panama City, FL
The price is Rp1.460.349 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp1.460.349
Rp1.930.085 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Panama City. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"This is a beautiful, clean hotel. I will definitely stay here again."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Panama City
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Shores of Panama Beach Resort

Shores of Panama Beach Resort

3.5 out of 5
9900 South Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions Shipwreck Island Waterpark and ...
5.8/10 (854 reviews)
"Nice and spacious!! We had problems with the AC on our last day but it was fine. The room isn’t like the photos they give you, every room is different! Nice view of the pool and good for a family of 5. Everything is very walkable and has a nearby Walmart."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

Shores of Panama Beach Resort
Calypso Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways

Calypso Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways

3.5 out of 5
15817 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a beach locale. Popular attractions Pier Park and Frank Brown Park ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (159 reviews)
"Everything was perfect but the Condo could use some TLC couch is old and stained the sink in kitchen the handle was broken and water in shower would get clogged up at times"

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Calypso Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways
Tidewater Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways

Tidewater Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways

3.5 out of 5
16819 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a beach locale. Popular attractions Pier Park and Frank Brown Park ...
7.2/10 Good! (167 reviews)
Beautiful room.
"Room looked like the pictures which was a pleasant surprise! No false advertising. The bedroom was beautiful and the kids lived having their own room, and we loved having separate bathrooms. There was a drip coffee and a k-cup machine (so you know what kind of coffee to buy). The rocking chairs on ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Tidewater Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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